Pregnant coach killed before game against Grand Valley

Allendale, MI (WZZM) - Coaches and players on the Grand Valley State Women's Lacrosse team say its like losing a member of the family.

This weekend, GVSU was scheduled to play Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

But Saturday a bus carrying the Seton Hill Lacrosse Team crashed, killing the driver, pregnant head coach Kristina Quigly and her unborn son.

"When we heard it was Kristy our thoughts were to her and the baby," says GVSU lacrosse coach Alicia Groveston. "She loved being a mother and it's hard to think the little boy she was carrying didn't get the chance to have her as a mom."

The bus carrying the Seton Hill team to a game against Millersville University crashed on the Pennsylvania Turnpike about 9:00 A.M. Saturday.

No other vehicles were involved.

The bus driver, Coach Quigly and her unborn son were killed. Two others were seriously injured.

The Grand Valley team learned about the crash just an hour before they were to board their own bus for the 7 1/2 hour ride from Michigan to Pennsylvania.

"We had no idea to what extent," says Groveston. "Looking at the pictures and knowing coaches are typically in the front row seats, we just knew it wasn't good."

Investigators have not discovered the cause of the crash.

At practice Monday Grand Valley players were wearing Seton Hill crimson and gold ribbons as a tribute and memorial.

"There isn't much you can do, but this way at least we say she is in our hearts and in our prayers," says player Mackenzie Grzeskowiak.

"You just feel terrible for her family, her players, for the community," says Groveston. "We just lost a great ally and good friend."

The Grand Valley Lacrosse Team is scheduled to take a long bus ride to New York this weekend.

Coach Groveston says they trust their team vehicles and have faith in the driver's ability to get them there safely.

"The bus is as safe as anything," she says. "It's like flying on a plane. If something is going to happen it's going to happen."